A number of rain warnings have today been issued for the South Island, covering both the West Coast and the Canterbury and Otago headwaters.

The crown forecaster issued the warnings at 10:40am.

Westland

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Westland Ranges south of the Glaciers In the 24 hours from 6am Tuesday to 6am Wednesday, expect 130-160mm. Heaviest falls after noon Tuesday, with intensities reaching 20-30mm per hour in thunderstorms. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Westland ranges from theGlaciers to Otira In the 36 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9pm Wednesday, expect 250-280mm of rain. Heaviest falls after 3am Wednesday, with intensities reaching 20-30mm per hour in thunderstorms. Note that during this period up to 80mm could fall on the coast.
Issued: 10:40 am 27 Sep 2010 NZDT

Canterbury Plains

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Mount Cook In the 27 hours from 6am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, expect 130mm near the divide, and over 80mm within 10km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after noon Tuesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour on the divide in thunderstorms. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Canterbury headwaters fromMount Cook to Arthurs Pass In the 36 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9pm Wednesday, expect 200-230mm near the divide, and over 130mm within 15km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after 3am Wednesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour near the divide in thunderstorms.
Issued: 10:40 am 27 Sep 2010 NZDT

Canterbury High Country

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Mount Cook In the 27 hours from 6am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, expect 130mm near the divide, and over 80mm within 10km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after noon Tuesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour on the divide in thunderstorms. Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The Canterbury headwaters fromMount Cook to Arthurs Pass In the 36 hours from 9am Tuesday to 9pm Wednesday, expect 200-230mm near the divide, and over 130mm within 15km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after 3am Wednesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour near the divide in thunderstorms.
Issued: 10:40 am 27 Sep 2010 NZDT

Otago

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Mount Cook In the 27 hours from 6am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, expect 130mm near the divide, and over 80mm within 10km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after noon Tuesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour on the divide in thunderstorms.
Issued: 10:40 am 27 Sep 2010 NZDT

Southern Lakes

Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Mount Cook In the 27 hours from 6am Tuesday to 9am Wednesday, expect 130mm near the divide, and over 80mm within 10km east of the divide. Heaviest falls after noon Tuesday, with intensities reaching 25mm per hour on the divide in thunderstorms.

Issued: 10:40 am 27 Sep 2010 NZDT

Warnings provided by the NZ Govt